Kansas vs. Kentucky
Recommendation: Kentucky -3.5 1st half
I feel like Kentucky is the better team and should win this game, but to me, laying -3.5 in the first half in better than -6.5 for the game. We have seen Kansas struggle in first halves the entire tournament, going 0-4 ATS since its opening round win over Detroit. Kentucky has been the opposite, leading by 3, 7, 11, 19 and 20 at the break in its five games (4-1 ATS). The only real weakness we have seen out of Kentucky on defense is giving up some threes and transition, something that only Indiana was able to take advantage of. That is not really the strength of Kansas, and they have definitely not been a fast starting team, so I expect Kentucky to cover the small halftime number. However, based on KU’s first half/second half dichotomy, don’t forget to consider supporting them after the break if the price is right.
